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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: Huda F Are You?
Author: Huda Fahmy Publisher: Dial Books
Year: 2021 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Graphic Novel, semi-autobiographical
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: No
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I was intrigued to read about Huda Fahmy's story....and the title!!! The title alone is enough to attract the average high schooler. Huda is an Egyptian American, Muslim teenager trying to find her place in the world.
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
What the F are you waiting for? Read this book!
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Review:
This is technically a graphic novel, but the author refers to it as a fictionalized memoir. I opened the front cover, and immediately the dedication caught my eye (yes, I am one of those strange people that loves to read the dedications!). Huda dedicates this to her mother, with the p.s. of "who wants everyone know she hates the title." I loved this, and it is such a mother thing to say. The book grabbed my attention right from the start. It is quick paced and smart.... the text and dialogue are sharp and authentic. Huda has a family of sisters whom she describes succinctly, but you still get a strong sense of their personalities. Her parents come to this country for her father's education and never leave. The story focuses on Huda's struggles that are universal struggles for all teenagers, not just a Muslim girl in the United States. Fahmy embraces the universal themes of self-confidence, making friends, fitting in, and living up to her parents' expectations. Huda's story starts in a town where she is known as "hijabi girl." In order to be part of a larger Muslim community her family moves to Dearborn, Michigan. Huda thinks this will be her chance to fit in, and not be singled out. What she discovers is that, even in this Muslim community, she struggles to fit in. Fahmy does a great job of depicting a diverse Muslim community, describes various hijabi cliques at her school: "the athletes, the gamers, and the fashionable hijabonistas." I appreciate the diversity this portrays, and she illustrates the characters uniquely- which adds to the message that not all Muslims are the same, there are all types of all types! There is an author's note that discusses this topic.
She describes her encounters with an Islamophobic teacher, which is comes to a very satisfying conclusion. Huda begins to find her place, and it impossible not to cheer her on.
I think this would be a great addition to a curriculum that focuses on marginalized voices.
I am looking forward to reading part 2: Huda F Cares?
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